King County climate change resources

Climate Science – Recommended Resources

King County government relies on peer reviewed scientific research and analysis from academic and government scientists about the causes and impacts of climate change.

1. University of Washington Climate Impacts Group
   

   The University of Washington Climate Impacts Group (CIG) is an interdisciplinary research group studying the impacts of natural climate variability and climate change on the Pacific Northwest. Through research and interaction with regional stakeholders, the CIG works to increase the resilience of the Pacific Northwest to fluctuations in climate. The CIG's research focuses on four key sectors: water resources, aquatic ecosystems, forests, and coasts.

2. The Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC)
   

   The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is the leading body for the assessment of climate change, established by the United Nations Environment Program and the World Meteorological Organization to provide the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic consequences.

3. United States Environmental Protection Agency
   

   The United States Environmental Protection Agency provides information on climate change for communities, individuals, businesses, states, localities and governments.

4. United States Global Change Research Program – US Climate Change Impacts
   

   This Climate Change Impacts site will introduce and lead you through the content of the most comprehensive and authoritative report of its kind. The report summarizes the science and the impacts of climate change on the United States, now and in the future.

5. RealClimate
   

   RealClimate is a commentary site on climate science by working climate scientists for the interested public and journalists.

6. Pew Center on Global Climate Change
   

   To inform the climate change dialogue, the Pew Center on Global Climate Change has produced a series of brief reports entitled Climate Change 101: Understanding and Responding to Global Climate Change.

Climate solutions — recommended resources

1. King County-Cities Climate Collaboration

   The King County-Cities Climate Collaboration is a partnership to enhance the effectiveness of King County local government climate and sustainability efforts.  As of December 2011, nine cities have joined the Collaboration, supporting climate change and sustainability-related projects and programs focused on outreach, coordination, solutions, and funding.

2. Washington State Department of Ecology

   The Washington State Department of Ecology is an excellent resource for information on: climate change science, Washington state impacts, and state and regional solutions.

3. Seattle Climate Action Now

   The City of Seattle is aggressively responding to the climate change challenge with Seattle Climate Action Now. Seattle Climate Action Now is an effort to give everyone in Seattle the tools needed to start making a real difference at home, at work, and on the road

4. Washington State

   With support from King County, among other partners, several Washington State agencies are collaborating to develop a strategy for how the region can prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The focus areas are: (1) Built Environment, Infrastructure and Communities, (2) Human Health and Security, (3) Ecosystems, Species, Habitats, and (4) Natural Resources (working lands and waters).

Climate news — recommended resources

1. The Sightline Institute

   The Sightline Institute runs a daily news service that compiles sustainability related news local to the Pacific Northwest.

2. The New York Times

   The New York Times portal has up to date news on climate science, solutions, and policy.

3. The Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies

   The Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies publishes an up to date blog on environmental issues, many with a climate change focus.

4. National Geographic
   

   National Geographic global warming site. Global warming facts, pictures, video, and quizzes from the National Geographic Society.